Handling apparatus



Filed March 10, 1947 Dec. 7, 1948. v K. P. BILLNER 2,455,650

HANDLING APPARATUS 3 sheets sheet 1 INVENTOR. Aim-1. F? B/u/vc'e,

Dec. 7, 1948. K. P. BIL LNER 2,455,650

HANDLING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 194'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

7 MMW I Hirer/Va Dec. 7, 1948.

- Y K; P. BILLNER HANDLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets- Sheet 3 FiledMarch 10, 1947 ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 7, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Karl P. Billner, Philadelphia, assignor to Vacuum Concrete,,Inc., a corporation of Permsylvania Application March 10, 1947, Serial No. 733,639 12 Claims. (Cl. 294-65) This invention relates to handling apparatus for use in reinforcingand. lifting bodies of various types and is particularly ,well adapted to the handling of preformed concrete bodies.

The removal of preformed concrete bodies from their forms has constituted a problem which has been so serious in the past as to greatly retard the progress of prefabricationwithconcrete. Due to the lack of uniformity of adhesion betweena concrete body and its form, most methods of separation, excepting actual destruction of the form, have been attended byunequal stresses and resultant breakage of the molded body. Methods of and apparatus for handling preformed concrete bodiesduring erection have likewise been inadequate inthe past, resulting in non-uniform and excessive stresses anclj consequent failure of such bodies.

It has been found inaccordance with the pres,-

ent invention thatsuch construction elements as concrete walls,partitions, beams, roof members and others ,even where their surfaceareas are extensive or discontinuous can be handled safely, economically and rapidly by the proper application of vacuum principles. r Y

The use of vacuum for handling sheet glass has been proposed in the past, but the relatively smooth surfaces in the case of glass fail to present the same problems as are encountered with surfaces containing irregularities of the type presented by molded concrete. Moreover, in view of the relative weights involved, the prior art teachings. in connection with glass handling are inapplicableto. the handling of heavy concrete elements. i r Accordingly, while the apparatuszof the present invention can be employed in handling many types of objectswand materials other than concrete, apparatus heretofore known is not satisfactory for the uses primarily contemplated herein. W r V This invention proposes a mat adapted for suspension from a hoist for handling a preformed concrete body. comprising a shell having an open side for application to a major dimension of a surface of such a concrete body,gasket,means carried. by the mat fonefiecting a sealbetween its open side and the surface of the concretebody, and means for evacuating the chamber thus formed by the mat and concrete surface. }The asket means being preferably yieldable and/ or readily deformable, permits the mat andconcrete gasket means and imparting an increased resist ance toshear thereto, At the same, timeg the plastic nature of the gasket means permits sufficient flow to compensate for such irregularities as may be present on the concrete surface; Be"- cause of such irregularities, it isdesirableto provide means for establishinga preliminaryseal between the mat and concrete surface, which may assume the form of a limp flap of material,

body to move closer together under the effect of it ambient pressure when the chamber between them has its pressure reduced, compressing the forcing means therefor.

preferably resilient, suchas thin rubber sheeting, extending peripherally from the mat or gasket means for engagement with the surface of the bodyto be handled. j

Lateral movement of the gasket meansfwith respect to the shell must be restrained to permit thebody being handled by the mat to beshifted in its own plane. This may be accomplished by the provision of suitable beadsjor grooves for fitting the gasket means to the shell. The gasket means will in all casesprojectsufficientlyfrom the shellto permit the degree of deformation necessary to proper strengthagainst shearing and at the same time prevent abutment of the rigid portions of the mat against the surface of the body. r i

The mat is frequently provided withintermediateyield able supporting means within and susbtantially coplanar with the gasket means; to contact the surface of thebody being handled; Such supporting means will be spaced with respect to the gasket means to limit external moments on the body to values less than the resisting moment of the body.

Reinforcingmeans in the form of a rib or stiffener may be provided for: one or more surfaces of the mat to impart the degree of rigidity necessary to avoidundue stressing of the body being handled. A plurality, of mats, contiguous or spaced, may be joined to a single backing or re-, inforcing member. The means for: producing orcontrolling thepressure within the chamber defined between amat and a body being handled may be located remotely from the mat or be mounted thereon or closely adjacent thereto.

It is also contemplated to provide load distributing means for interposition between the mat or mats and a hoist, to avoid such unequal stresses as would tend to damage the body to be handled. Such load distributing means mayrbe connected to the mats through a suitable rein.-

A more complete understanding of the inven: ,tion will followfrom adescription of the attached drawings wherein: f

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic perspective showing the use of a hoist for handling a reinforced concrete wall and temporary reinforcement at an opening in the wall;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a mat of the type depicted in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the mat of Fi -2; a

Fig. 4 is a' bottom plan of a modified form of mat;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the mat of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan of another form-ofmat;

Fig. '7 is a sectional elevation of the mat ,of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of another form of mat;

Fig. 9 is a section taken along line 9--9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a section taken along line 0l.0 of Fig. 8; and I ,Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation of a further modification.

Theprefabricated concrete wall of Fig. ,1 includes adoor opening 22 and a window opening 24. The Wallis depicted ina vertical position to which. ithasbe-en elevated by a hoist whose hook 26 ,is connected through cables 28 to a spreader 3.0 which is in turn connected by cables-32, which maybe. self compensating as shown, to the mat 3.4. ,Asindicated inFigs. 2 and 3, the mat comprisesa .frame .36, composed of plywood, sheet metal ,or other suitable.material,.the rear surface of which is reinforced by a rib or w eb.38.by which itis attached to a hoist by, means. of .rings or ,perforations (not shown in these figures) suitably provided therefor. The-lother surface. of the'mat is ,provided with beads secured thereto, spaced to receive and restrain against lateral movement, a peripheral, flexible :and readily .deformable sealing-gasket 4 2, composed of sponge or other form of cellular rubber or the like, which .defines with the frame a hollow shell having an open side fora-pplication to a surface of a body toirbe handled. .Whereas't-he'gasket under compression develops ample strength to resist shearingstresses even When the body ismovedi-n'its own plane,- thesebeads willlpreventslippa e ,of the gasket relative-rto themat. {To insurea preliminary and rapid seal :between the mat and the surface to which it'is applied, despite =the presence of irregularities which might be encountered, a peripheral 'fla'p 4.3 of resilientmaterial differing in its properties from that-constitutin the gasket and characterized by I its "limp condition is adhesively orotherwiseapplied to the-lower surface of the gasket '42, so that immediately upon the reduction :of pressure :within the chamber defined between the mat and the'body to be handled, the flap will readily conform to'the surface of the body and permit the-desired degree of evacuation of the chamber'with a minimum amount of initial leakage. The composition of the flap may vary, but thin sheet rubber or rubber-like-materials, such as dam rubber,.j-have produced highly satisfactory results. A nipple 44 containing a valve '46 provides means for conmeeting the interior of the mat 'with asource' of sub-ambient pressure through a suitable hose 41'. The reinforcing beam 48 bridging the door openingZZ of Fig. lis provided with-a mat5'0-at either end, similar to the mat 34 of "Fig.2. By connectingthe tubes 52'leading from the chambers defined by these mats with the wall surface toa source of sub-ambient pressure'thematsjll under 'the effect of ambient pressure, will estabsure.

, gasket 42, for effecting a preliminary seal between themat and1the surface of the body to be handled. Sincethe mat of Fig. 4 is designed to cover a larger area than that illustrated in Fig. 2,

intermediate supports 58 have been provided in portsare preferably substantially coplanar with the gasket-42 or flap, and are shown inthis modification as being jof a disk orbutton type, retained in position byannular beads 60 secured to the front face of the frame.

A mat 62 is depicted in Figs. 6 and 7, especially adapted for submarine use, but applicable to other uses as well. As in the previously described examples, a frame 36 receives a marginal flexible gasket 42 .of readily .deformable material .retained against.lateralinovement by grooves or beads, thus presenting a hollo.w shell ornbody having an open'side for application totthe surface .of..a body to be handled. Aperiphera'lflap 43 ,of limp, resilient, thin rubber or ,rubber-like materialis provided as before .and ,for a similar purpose. Elongated intermediate supports .64, depicted as rectangular in :this case, retained against lateral m-ovementby-beads 66,:serve a purpose similar to the supports -58-of disk shape shown in Fig.4. As :before, the intermediate supports :are similar in composition to the-gasket 42 and substantially coplanar therewith or with thefiap :43. No reinforcing, ribs have been-shown in this :modi-fication,attachment to a hoist being accomplished through a suitable number'of :rings 63 mounted on the rear surface of the mat. .=A suitably driven pnmp'zlo "is also carried on the rear isurfacewof the mat S=for producing asub-ambient pressure between the front surfaceof the mat and the surface of aibody torbetli'ftedor otherwise handled. The pump'is connectedwith the interior of the mat by a tube 12, and maydischarge through a tube '14.

The construction shown in Figs. 8, '9 and 10 includes a mat 16 formed from a plurality of laminations of plywood "1'8, -seeured-together and to the lower flangefll of 'an'iI-bea-m 82 by means of ;bolts;84. "The upper flange {86 of'the I-beam is recessed at suitably "located points to define pockets 88 "which provide freedom of pivotal movement for a clevis '89, suspended froma cable or chain ,90, with respect to an eye-bolt 92 secured to the web of the I-beam at each 'ofthese points by means of a (nut 94 bearing against a web reinforcing plate '86.

A manifold 98 is secured to the top surface of the mat by means of clips l00 the open end 02 of the ma ld e ng connecte to asource of sub-ambient pressure, not shown. At suitable "means or 1 stiffener intervals, the manifold is providedwith radial ports lfllin communication with flexible tubes lflfiwhose opposite ends are secured byflanges I 08 tothe matfor communicationthrough aport [l0 penetrating thesever'alplies 18 withthe internal chamber 45 definedby the mat and the surface to which it is applied; J t M AS in Preceding amples, the lower surface bf the m atis provided with a marginal gasket ofilexible, readily deformable material suchas cellularfor sponge rubber, restrained against lateralmovement by metal beads 60 secured to the math? screws or the like. the gasket ein faced with athin limp flap 43 of rubberjorrubiber-likematerial which will conform to anirreg- =ularsurface and effect a preliminary seal when the chamber 45*first has its pressure reduced "through themanifold 98. i As the mat is drawn down towards thesurface of the bod ft be handledjas result of further evacuation f of the "chambenthe gasket 42 will be deformed and compressed until its resistance to shear will be sufiibient to Sustain the load of the body being handled even when the body is being lifted verticallyin its own plane. f The I-beam 82 isfshown inFig. 8 as being reinforced at spaced pointsby members H2 depicted in broken lines. 1 i i i The plywood layers"!!! of Fig. 11 are in stepped relationship, the f greatest thickness occurring *centrally where the maximum stresses are en countered, the central portionbeing assembled to the lower fiange 8|] or an I-beam 82 by bolts 84 as in the construction of the precedin example. Additional bolts H4 are employed at intervals .tdisplaced fromtthe central portion for securing the various plies together, and atlth'e sametime fastening the beads 40 andlHi to the mat for restraining the gasket 42 andintermediatesupports H8 respectively againstlateral movement gs in-eertain of the modifications previouslyd cribed. The gasket and intermediate supp t are of similar flexible, readily deformable cellular "rubbermaterial and substantially coplanar so as I20, one of which assists in retaining one or more lifting plates I22 having a perforation I24 to receive a hook or cable for suspension from a hoist.

It will be noted that the mat and its load can be swung through at least ninety degrees in each of the forms shown, so that a molded slab can be removed readily from a horizontal position such as it might assume in its form and elevated to a vertical position such as it might receive in use as a wall or partition.

Whereas several modifications of the invention have been illustrated and described, including the subject matter of application Serial No,-:55,3,239, filed September 8, 1944, of which this application is considered to be a continuation in part," many additional forms have been designed ajndf even others will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited to these examples beyond the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mat comprising a substantially rigid frame having laminations in stepped relationship to provide portions of varying strength, deformable self supporting sealing means defining an open chamber at one surface of said frame,

said sealing means projecting beyon'drigid por-' tions of said frame under all conditions of operation, means restraining said sealing means against lateral movement, means securingl'said restraining-means to said frame and securing certain of said laminations together, and means communicating with said chamber for exhaustingthe same. i

2. A mat adapted for handling a preformed concretebody of substantial size comprising a substantially rigid frame having a compressible cellularresilient gasket secured, to onesurface thereof defining an open chamber, said gasket" projecting beyond rigid portions of said frame: under all conditionsbf operation; a limpfiap carried by said frame and extending beyond said. gasket to establish a preliminary seal between saidmat andbody, and means communicating with said chamberfor exhausting the same.

B. A mat adapted for handling a preformed concretebody of substantial size comprisinga substantially rigid frame having a compressible cellular resilient gasket secured to one surface thereof defining" an open chamber, said gasket projecting beyond rigid portions of said frame under all conditions of operation, means restraining lateral movement of said gasketwith respect to said frame, a limp flapcarried by said frame and extending beyondsaid gasket to establish a preliminary seal between said mat andbody, and means communicating with said chamber for exhausting the same. r

4'. A mat adaptedfor handling a preformed gasket to establish a preliminary seal between said mat and body, and means communicating with said chamber for exhausting the same;

5. A mat adapted for handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprising a frame, reinforcing means secured to one surface ofsaid frame for rigidifying said mat, a compressible cellular resilient gasket secured to another surface of said frame defining an open chamber, said gasket projecting beyond rigid portions of said frame under all conditions of operation, a limp flap carried by said frame and extending beyond said gasket to establish a preliminary seal between said mat and body, and means communicating with said chamber for exhausting the same.

6. A mat adapted for handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprising a substantially rigidframe having a resilient cellular rubber gasket secured to one surface thereof defining an open chamber, said gasket projecting beyond rigid portions of said frame under all conditions of operation, a limp flap carried by said frame and extending beyond said gasket to establish a preliminary seal between said mat and body, and means communicating with said chamber for exhausting the same.

'7. A mat adapted for handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprising a substantially rigid frame having a normally soft compressible cellular resilient gasket secured to one surface thereof defining an open chamber, said gasket projecting beyond rigid portions of said frame under all conditions of operation and having a; thickness exceeding thadepthuif: irreg-u laritiescustomarily encountered in concrete sur faces; a lim'p flap carried by said: frame and. 6X? tendingj beyond said gasket toestablish a preliminary seal between said mat and body, and means 'communicating 'withisaid chamber for exhausting the same; said gasketacquiring increased resistance to shear under compression between said frame'and body.

8. A mat adapted for handling, a preformed. concrete body of substantial size comprising a substantially rigid frame having acompressible cellular resilient gasket secured to one surface thereof defining an open: chamber, saidgasket projectin'g beyond rigid portions: of said frame under all conditions. of operation, a compressible cellular resilient supporting element carr-iedby said: frame'within' said: gasket -and:insubstantially coplanar relationship with respect to said gasket for engagement with saidbody, and means communi'cating: with said chamber for exhausting the same;

9: A mat adapted for handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprising a substantially rigid frame having a compressible cellular resilient gasket secured to one surface thereof defining an open chamber, said gasket projecting beyond rigid portions of said: frame under all conditionsof operation; a compressible cellular resilient supporting element carried by said frame w-ithin saidgasketand in substantially coplanar relationship with respect to said gasket for engagement with said body, a limp flap carried by saidaframe-a-nd extending beyondsaid gasket to establish a preliminary seal between said matand: body, andmeans communicating with: said chamber for. exhausting the same.

10'. mat adapted for handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprising a substantially rigid frame having a compressible cellular resilient gasket secured to one surface thereof defining an open chamber, said gasket :pr'ojecting beyond rigid portions of said frame under all conditionsof operation, acompressible 'cellular resilient supporting element carried by said frame within said gasket and irrsubstantially 8 coplanar relationship with respect to-saidrga sket for engagement with saidrbody,.means -restraininglateral movement of said elementwith'respeot to said frame, and means communicating with said chamber for exhausting the. same.

11. A mat adapted for-handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprising: a substantially rigidframehaving a compressible cellular resilient gasket secured to one surface thereof defining an open chamber, said gasket projecting beyond rigid portions of said frame under all conditions of operation,. compressible cellular resilient intermediate supporting elements carriedby said framewithin. said gasket and in substantially coplanar relationshipwith respect to saidgasket spaced tolimit external momentsonsaid body to values: lessthan itsresisting moment, and means-communicating, with said chamber for exhausting thesama. I

VIZ-A mat adapted for handling a preformed concrete body of substantial size comprisinga substantially rigid frame having a compressible cellular rubber resilient gasket secured to -one surface thereof defining an open. chambensaid gasket projecting beyond rigidl portions of said frame under all conditions of operation; ai'c'om pressible cellular rubber resilient supporting) element carried by said frame within. said/gasket and in substantially coplanar relationship.- with respect to said gasket for. engagement withnsaid body, and means communicatingwith said chamber for exhausting thesamea BILLNER.-

Name 7 Date- Smith Jam 19; 1915 Debaecker Aug. 19,1924 Debaecker Nov. 4 1924 Troutman et al. Apr. 211 ,1925 Trou'tman et a1; ....a Apr. 21,1925

Number 

